Violence takes toll on young and old alike
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 28 2014: Thangjam Manihar and his grandson's poignant story is a living testimony of how gun culture and violence take a heavy toll on contemporary Manipuri society.

Thangjam Bishwajit's only son Rahul is being looked after by his frail grandfather and grandmother after Bishwajit was shot dead by suspected cadres of a tribal armed organisation.

When Rahul was just three years old, his father was blindfolded and led away by some militants in front of his eyes.

Bishwajit came back again to have a glass a water only to be dragged away the next moment.

That was the last time Rahul saw his father.

This scene left a permanent scar on the tender mind of Rahul even though he cannot picturise his father properly.

It was not even one year after Bishwajit was shot dead when his wife left for her parental home leaving behind Rahul.

It has been almost eight years since the grandfather and the grandmother took full responsibility of Rahul.

In the meantime, his mother married another man.

Now Rahul is reading in class IV at Excellent Modern Academy, Ukhongshang and the private school is only charging half the tuition fees in view of Rahul and his guardians' helpless condition.

Thangjam Bishwajit of Ukhongshang Mayai Leikai, Thoubal district was shot dead by suspected cadres of the said armed organisation on December 3, 2006 at Senapati.

He was then 27 years old.

Talking with a team of media persons and Women Action of Development (WAD) members at their home today, Thangjam Manihar said that his son was a humble peasant who also did all kinds of odd jobs during off season.

Bishwajit's brother-in-law (wife's elder brother) Moirangthem Dhamen ran a shop at Senapati Keithel.

On December 3, 2006, Bishwajit, his wife and son went to Dhamen's shop at Senapati to deliver a consignment of rice.

They reached Dhamen's home the same evening.

Soon after, some unidentified armed persons barged into the house and forcibly led away both Dhamen and Bishwajit before Bishwajit was shot dead a little distance away.

"Even today we cannot guess any possible reason for the brutal murder of my son.

We don't know to whom we should take the complaints of our wounded souls.

It looks like might is right rules the society.

"Amidst the unbearable pangs of separation, the responsibility of looking after and grooming the boy has been heaped upon our frail, aged shoulders," said Manihar, Bishwajit's father who was born without any fingers on both hands.

Nonetheless, Manihar cultivates three Sangams of paddy fields on lease.

After giving away 15 bags of paddy as annual rent, the remaining quantity cannot meet the family's annual requirement.

With the money earned from selling paddy and vegetables grown in their kitchen garden, and wages earned from doing odd menial works from time to time, Rahul is being sent to school.

Three sons and three daughters were born to Manihar.

All the three daughters as well as the surviving two sons are married.

Manihar is living together with his youngest son.

All sons are cultivators.

Rahul's grandmother lamented that her grandson has no one to call daddy or mummy.

"At the same his grandfather and uncles cannot look after all his needs.

Still it is good for Rahul that we are alive.

But we would never be able to die a peaceful death thinking about the future of Rahul", said the worried grandmother.

"Our daily prayer to the Almighty is to keep us alive until Rahul grows up", she added.

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